Officials to conduct tiger census in Melghat reserve

AMRAVATI: A tiger census will be undertaken in Melghat reserve from January 27, forest officials said.

The census will be done in an area spanning over 2,000 sq km. Training will be given to officials involved in the survey, they said.

"The survey is scheduled to be completed within six days as per the programme. However, it may take two-three days more," Project Tiger's Field Director A K Mishra said.

The census will comprise four phases -- field data collection, compilation, verification and analysis.

The census is part of a detailed study on tiger population in 17 states undertaken by Wildlife Institute of India in collaboration with the Centre, various state forest departments and Project Tiger, Mishra said.

Data on tiger population will be compiled at state level and will be then sent to the Centre for verification, he said.